# Burdock

## Remedy Classification
- **Type:** Herbal Remedy
- **Alternative Names:** Arctium lappa, Burdock
- **Miasm:** Psoric Miasm
- **Temperament:** Neutral
- **Aggravation Time:** Morning

## Keynote Indications
Key Actions: Antiseptic, Detoxifying.
Parts Used: Root, Seed.

## Modalities (Aggravations / Ameliorations)
Cautions: as even small amounts can cause an initial.

## Symptoms by System

### Extremities
- One of the foremost detoxifying herbs in Western and Chinese herbal medicine, burdock (Arctium lappa) is used to cleanse the body of waste products, including heavy metals.
- Parts used Root • Seed Key actions Antiseptic • Detoxifying remedy • Diuretic • Tonic Blood cleanser Although much undervalued, burdock may be used in any situation in which the body needs increased clearance of waste products.
- Conditions as varied as acne, boils, eczema, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and tonsillitis will benefit from the herb’s pronounced ability to stimulate release of waste products from the cells.
- Burdock Arctium lappa Traditionally combined with dandelion to make a tonic, cleansing drink, burdock is an important detox remedy in both Western and Chinese herbal traditions.
- Often used to treat skin problems, burdock also supports the immune system during infection and chronic illness.
- However, it should be used with caution as even small amounts can cause an initial flare-up in symptoms, particularly in skin disorders.
- For this reason, it is rarely used on its own and is combined with remedies such as dandelion (T araxacum officinale), red clover (Trifolium pratense), and yellow dock (Rumex crispus) that counterbalance its detoxifying action.
- Although it is not yet substantiated, burdock root is thought to have marked anticancer activity .
- medicinal uses Leaves can be used as a poultice for acne and boils.
- key information safety ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ traditional use ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ research ★ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ Best taKen as Decoction ✓✓✓ Tincture ✓✓ Tablet ✓ dosage A (see pp.44–45) often used with Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) cautions Very rarely, can cause contact dermatitis.
- See also pp.41–52.
- seeds dried root seeds have cleansing and diuretic properties 72 A–z OF HeRBAl RemeDieS